Waiting for Devon

by Dee Stewart

  “Obviously, it’s a little more complicated than that. Who is this mystery man?”

  “He’s a businessman.”

  “Does this businessman have a name?”

  “I can’t tell you, Em. Don’t ask why. You’re right, though. It is complicated, and I can’t say any more about it. You have to trust me.”

  Devon heard her sister’s deep sigh. “All right. I have to say, though, you’re acting uncharacteristically strange. How long will you be gone?”

  “About a month. Em, will you do me a favor?”

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “Actually, I need two favors. The first concerns Jack. Do not tell him where I am under any circumstances. The second…”

  “Wait a minute,” Emmaline interrupted. “How did Jack enter into this?”

  “He’s in San Francisco to try to win me back, or so he claimed. Look, I don’t have time to say much else. The other favor I need is about the house. Will you please check on it periodically?”

  “Yes, but Devon…”

  “I love you,” Devon broke in. “I’ll keep in touch as often as I can.” She ended the call.

  Devon hated deceiving her family, but neither Emmaline nor Caleb would understand or accept her decision to pose as Shane’s bride-to-be if they knew the truth. She hardly understood why she was going along with the risky scheme. Maybe on some level Shane’s willingness to do whatever was necessary to be with the woman he loved touched her.

  Her suitcases already stood by the door when Shane arrived in his rented Rolls Royce at one o’clock that afternoon. He carried Devon’s bags outside while she took one last look around her home. Silence and emptiness permeated it instead of the happy sounds of a baby. Blinking away the tears pooling in her eyes, Devon joined Shane in the car and stared straight ahead.

  Feeling her tension, Shane reached down to pat her leg. “Devon, it’s not that bad.”

  She glanced sideways at him. “My whole life has been turned upside down, and you claim ‘it’s not that bad’? Do you realize I’ve had to lie to my brother and sister? Do you even care about my obligations to my patients? I can’t even begin to explain my resentment toward your high-handed father for his interference in my career.”

  “What’s done is done. This isn’t easy for either one of us.”

  Devon realized Shane wasn’t as charming as he first appeared to be. She was beginning to catch glimpses of a spoiled man who was used to getting his own way.

  What am I doing? I must be stark raving mad.

  As soon as the Barringtons’ private jet climbed high in a cloudless azure sky, Shane removed a small black velvet box from his briefcase and handed it to Devon.

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Your engagement ring. Go ahead, Devon. Put it on.”

  A half-carat diamond surrounded by a dozen smaller gems glittered in the light. Overwhelmed and alarmed, Devon shook her head. “No, Shane, I can’t wear this.”

  “I understand your reluctance, but as a future Barrington bride, you have to look the part.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. You can’t arrive at the ranch without an engagement ring if we expect to make our relationship believable.”

  Devon clenched her teeth as she slipped the ring on her finger. This wasn’t an auspicious beginning to what promised to be a precarious adventure.

  Shane didn’t engage Devon in conversation during the remainder of the flight while he studied files filled with reports. She didn’t care if he spoke to her or not, for thoughts of her patients occupied her mind. The Dalton baby was still ill, and she wondered how he was doing. There was a little girl on the fourth floor who was facing chemotherapy without her. Would she feel abandoned? Devon had promised she would stay with her through every treatment. The staff depended on her, and she felt as though she were letting them all down. She hated this charade.

  When the pilot informed Shane they were about to begin their descent, he buckled his seatbelt and gave Devon brisk instructions. “Once we arrive at the ranch, you’ll be introduced to our housekeeper, Mrs. Peters, and our butler, Mr. O’Rourke. Mrs. Peters will show you to your room. Dinner is always served at seven. Blair will probably be home, but you’ll not meet her until later. Reed will be down at the stables with the horses. Do you have any questions, Devon?”

  “No,” she answered, her voice cold and empty. “I don’t.”

  The Barringtons’ driver, known simply as Lincoln, waited for Shane and Devon as they disembarked on the private runway. He smiled when Shane introduced Devon and helped them load their luggage in the trunk of the black limousine.

  Lincoln maneuvered the car through the heavy downtown traffic while Devon received her first glimpse of the impressive Dallas skyline as they headed south out of the city. Shane pointed out the Reunion Tower, rising fifty stories into the air with is revolving restaurant and observation tower, and explained that Barrington Industries was situated near it in a glass building. He told Devon he would show her the company’s national headquarters in a few days. Soon, they left the business district behind and entered the suburban communities, home to many multi-millionaires.

  The Barrington ranch lay thirty miles southwest of the city, sprawling on the flat prairie lands of Texas. Devon expected a whitewashed Southern plantation-styled home, but the Georgian architecture of the main house pleased her. Flowers and lush greenery adorned the landscape, and in the distance, Devon could see the pasture and corral for the Barringtons’ stock of champion thoroughbreds.

  As soon as the limousine came to a complete stop in front of the palatial home, the wide, oaken doors opened and an elderly, silver-haired man wearing black pants, a short-waisted jacket, and a white shirt with a dark tie stepped forward.

  “Welcome home, Mr. Barrington,” O’Rourke announced. “You have been away too long.” The butler’s black eyes pierced Devon as he nodded with formality. “We were told to expect you, Miss Brooks.”

  Devon inclined her head and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. O’Rourke. Shane has spoken very highly of you.”

  “Indeed,” O’Rourke replied with a slight smile of his own. “Follow me, madam. Mrs. Peters is anxious to make your acquaintance.”

  Devon followed O’Rourke into the elegant foyer. Her heels clicked on the marble tile as she gazed in appreciation at her surroundings. To the left of the main entrance, a marble staircase wound its way to the second floor, and a grandfather clock stood against a wall. To her right, a vase full of fresh flowers sat on a cherrywood table. Ahead lay the formal living room, the library, dining room, music room, and kitchen.

  Upon hearing voices, Mrs. Peters came flying downstairs. A robust woman, she put Devon at ease with her breezy personality. “Oh, sweet child!” she gushed. “Aren’t you the pretty one? Welcome to the Barrington family, my dear.”

  “Thank you,” Devon murmured. Guilt swept through her as she hugged the older woman.

  “I’ll wager your presence will breathe new life into this house,” Mrs. Peters predicted. “It’s become too stuffy.”

  She met O’Rourke’s disapproving frown with twinkling gray eyes. “Yes, I meant you. Come along, Dr. Brooks. I’ll show you to your room so you may rest before dinner.” Eyeing Shane, she continued, “Well, m’boy, I think you finally got it right this time. Don’t let this lovely young woman slip away.”

  Shane grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Linking her arm through Devon’s, Mrs. Peters chattered with merriment as they climbed the marble stairs and strolled down a long hallway until they stopped in front of the suite of rooms assigned to Devon. Inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wasn’t expected to share a room with Shane.

  As they stepped inside, the housekeeper began, “I hope you like this suite, Dr. Brooks. I chose it especially for you. In the morning it’s bright with sunlight, and in the evening the view is spectacular. Come, see for yourself.”

  Devon appreciated the pe
ach and cream color scheme of her bedroom. A huge four-poster bed and twin nightstands dominated one wall. French doors opened onto a balcony and a rocking chair sat nearby. A dresser stood opposite the bed. The bathroom impressed Devon with its luxurious sunken tub and separate vanity area. On the other side of the bathroom, a sitting room contained a sofa, recliner, television, and an old-fashioned roll-top desk.

  At the end of the tour, Devon turned to Mrs. Peters and said with gratitude, “Thank you for choosing these rooms for me. I love them. And,” she added, “you may call me Devon.”

  Mrs. Peters patted Devon’s hand. “I will when we are alone, dear, but never in front of Mr. Barrington. He wouldn’t like the familiarity. Now, unpack and rest for tonight. Dinner will be ready at seven, and you must wear something nice. Appetizers will be served at six-thirty in the living room. You’ll meet Blair and Reed then. Do you need any help?”

  “No, Mrs. Peters. Once again, thank you for your hospitality.”

  By the time Devon finished unpacking and putting her things away, it was nearly four-thirty. Two hours remained before she was expected downstairs. She tried to take a nap, but too many thoughts and emotions overwhelmed her. Mrs. Peters’ kindness made her feel sick to her stomach with her pretense.

  This is wrong.

  She opened the French doors and gazed down upon a lush garden bursting with several varieties of flowers and plants.

  This is so horribly wrong. What am I doing here? I can’t stay. I just can’t. It’s not right. I have to tell Jasper Barrington the truth. My patients…oh, lord, how I miss my little ones!

  Thoughts of the children who depended on her prompted Devon to call Jill, whose shift hadn’t ended yet. “Hi. I’m in Dallas and wanted to touch base. How is everything there? The Daltons’ baby?”

  “Dr. Brooks, hi. I’ve got great news about little Tommy Dalton. He was released this morning.”

  “That’s wonderful. Did Mr. Linhart hire my former husband, Dr. Jack Taylor?” Devon held her breath.

  “As a matter of fact, he did. He spent the better part of the day grilling all of us for information about you.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him in no uncertain terms to mind his own business.”

  “Good.” Devon exhaled. “Give everyone my love and tell them I miss them.”

  “I will, Dr. Brooks. Take care.”

  Devon luxuriated in a warm, scented bath for nearly thirty minutes while she contemplated meeting Jasper Barrington and the rest of Shane’s family. How would Blair and Reed react to her? Would they be suspicious of their brother’s sudden engagement?

  Filled with nervous anticipation, Devon chose to wear a sleeveless, navy-colored sheath with a modest neckline and a pair of low-heeled pumps. Her thick curls were arranged in a French-twist with a few tendrils framing her face and neck. As soon as she dabbed her favorite perfume on her wrists and throat and checked her appearance one last time, Shane knocked on her bedroom door.

  After complimenting her, he commented, “I can tell by the expression on your face you’re having second thoughts again.”

  “Can you blame me?” Devon shot back. “I don’t belong here, Shane, and the situation is weighing heavily on my conscience.”

  “My father left me no other alternative.” Anger caused the blood to rush into his face. “If he weren’t such a stubborn fool, he would see I am more than ready to take the reins of BI.”

  “I don’t see why you can’t talk this out. We can tell your family we’ve decided not to get married after all, and you can speak with your father like a civilized adult.”

  Shane laughed, and its bitterness echoed between them. “No one speaks with him. One listens. No, Devon, I’m sorry, but this is the only way I can get what I want. I’m sorry for dragging you into this, but it will be over soon. Hopefully within two weeks or so.”

  Devon gritted her teeth. She didn’t share Shane’s optimism.

  He held her hand as they entered the living room. Shane nodded at his father, whose sharp eyes pierced them, and he smiled with warmth at his beautiful twenty-five-year-old sister.

  Poised and graceful, Blair Barrington returned her brother’s smile as she glided toward him. Her pale blonde hair hung straight down her back. She wore a multi-colored broom skirt with a white off-the-shoulder-blouse and sandals on her feet. Blair hugged her brother and gripped his shoulders.

  “You’ve been gone too long,” she scolded. “I’ve missed you, Shane.”

  “I missed you, too. Blair, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Dr. Devon Brooks.”

  Blair met Devon’s open gaze. “I’m glad to meet you at last, Dr. Brooks. Welcome to the ranch. I hope you will feel at home here.”

  “Thank you, Blair. I look forward to getting to know you.”

  When Devon lifted her eyes, she caught Jasper’s hard, unrelenting stare. “You and Shane have arrived three days before I expected you.”

  Devon refused to be intimidated. “Arrangements for my departure from the hospital were easily made, sir. You are an influential man,” she declared, unable to resist a barb. “I’m sure your two-million dollars will be put to good use.”

  Blair choked on her wine and looked in astonishment from one to the other.

  Jasper addressed her as though he spoke to a child. “After listening to Shane rave for weeks about the mysterious woman in his life, we were curious and anxious to meet you. When you declared how difficult a leave of absence would be for you, I removed the burden from your shoulders. I am glad I did, for I fear we would have never met Shane’s intended bride.”

  As a doctor Devon knew how important it was for her to control her emotions. In the ER one must keep cool and level-headed when treating an ill or seriously injured child. But here, as she faced Jasper Barrington, Devon felt anger bubbling within her and threatening to explode.

  “I beg to differ, Mr. Barrington.” She trembled with her ire. “You acted with little regard for my responsibilities. My departure was arranged so abruptly I never had the opportunity to prepare my patients or their parents. At the moment there is a little girl facing chemotherapy without me. I promised I would be with her through her treatments. I’ve broken my promise, and if I am fortunate enough to see this child in the future, she will never trust me.” Devon took a deep, steady breath. “I am a doctor, sir. Do not presume to interfere with my oaths again.”

  Blair smothered the urge to laugh as she drained her glass of wine and reached for a cigarette, but her brother did not share her amusement. Shane glared at Devon through frosty blue eyes and sought to ease the tension mounting in the room.

  “Dad, Devon didn’t mean…”

  Jasper held up a hand for silence. “Yes, she did.” A broad smile crossed his stern face. “Well, well, well. Shane, you have brought home a young woman who doesn’t cower in fear the moment I enter the room. It is good you’re able to hold your own with me, otherwise, this would be no fun at all.”

  Devon opened her mouth to question Jasper’s strange remark, but the sound of a man’s rich, deep voice interrupted them as he announced from the doorway, “Sorry I’m late, Dad, but Dark Mist had a difficult delivery.”

  As she turned to greet Reed Barrington, Devon’s eyes grew wide and her breath hitched in her throat. Her stomach tightened while butterflies awakened and stirred to life. Her heart pounded within her breast, and her pulse leaped. The most gorgeous, striking man Devon had ever seen stood before her. His presence captivated her. It intoxicated her. Her head spun as if she had imbibed several glasses of champagne.

  My God.

  Reed’s bare and broad muscular torso glistened with perspiration caused by the heat of a humid, early summer’s evening. Bronzed by the sun and lightly dusted with curly gold hair, his chest tapered into a narrow waist and powerful thighs emphasized by the Levi’s he wore. A white T-shirt lay draped over his right shoulder. His deep blue eyes sparkled like sapphires and his golden hair fell in short, layered waves to the b
ase of his neck. The strong line of his jaw contributed to his rugged countenance. Devon’s eyes focused on his well-shaped lips, and her mouth went dry.

  Her enthralled gaze caught and held his. Reed’s eyes narrowed as they traveled down the length of her body, pausing for a moment on the expanse of skin left bare by the neckline of her dress before moving up to her face again.

  “So, you’re Shane’s alleged fiancée.”

  Devon moved toward him and held out her hand. “Yes,” she replied, hating the slight tremor in her voice. “I’m Dr. Devon Brooks.”

  Reed held her hand a second or two before he dropped it. He dismissed her as he looked past Devon at his father. “Both Dark Mist and her colt are doing well, Dad. There’s no doubt he’ll be a champion like his mother. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going upstairs to shower and change. I’ll join you for dinner in a few minutes.”

  While Jasper and Blair strolled into the dining room, Shane pulled Devon aside. “For God’s sake, Devon. You’re supposed to be in love with me, yet you were ogling my brother.”

  “I was not,” she declared in a hoarse whisper.

  “No, of course not. Your jaw merely dropped to the ground, that’s all. Look, I want this charade to end as quickly as you do, but it’s not going to happen if my father and my brother are suspicious. When we go into dinner, please try to act affectionate with me.”

  “All right,” she promised.

  Again, she thought, God help me.

  Chapter Four

  Reed joined the family in the dining room twenty minutes later and took a seat across from Devon. She grew uncomfortable beneath his powerful stare.

  As he spooned green beans onto his plate, Reed began in a bland tone, “Forgive me, Miss Brooks, but I have forgotten where Shane said he met you.”

  Shane squeezed Devon’s leg underneath the table. “I’m hurt by your obvious lack of interest in my love life, big brother,” he joked. “For the last time, I met Devon at a fundraiser for San Francisco General Hospital. She was the keynote speaker, and from the moment I first saw her, I knew she was the woman I wanted.”